ps leak

[dopple]

We have a 1995 525it touring wagon that has a leak on one of the ps lines. I dont want to get into working on the car now as I have little time and have to put an alternator in my M3. The shop wants about 500 for the job I believe.

It has been this was since 100,000 miles and has 120,000 on it now. I am thinking of just keeping it topped of and monitor how much it is using. It does not take much to make a little spot on the garage floor and I think I may only be loosing about a half ounce a day.

We just dont have the money right now to drop into this repair and I am thinking there should be no problem in just watching the levels but it makes the underside a little more dirty.

Any comments appreciated.

[DSDJ1480]

$500.00?!?!?! :yikes:What the hell is he gonna do....replace the whole damn system? Generally, these leaks come from worn lines on the drivers side (3 of them) and the ratty clamps BMW used to put them on. Go to Autozone and get new hoses and clamps, and put em on yourself. They are not super easy to get to, but if you have the time and patience, you can save about $475.

Option 2....Find a mechanic who isn't trying to put a pool in his backyard on your dime.:mad:

[Wolf-Strong]

That sounds about right for $500...just make sure he is actually replacing the hoses and not just the o-rings. These are not just regular rubber hoses, rather high pressure hydraulic ones and they are not cheap; generally at least a few hundred!

You can see them here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=HJ63&mospid=47414&btnr=32_0065&hg=32&fg=20

$200 for one, $120 for the other, $35 for another, then also add in the the labor to drain the system, new fluid, all the misc o-rings and seals, and finally labor to replace it. You figure labor @ ~$100/hr you are getting a pretty good deal if they are replacing the hoses.

[DSDJ1480]

When I had mine done, it only cost $225 with a $90/hr labor rate at my indy BMW mechanic. I dunno what the difference was, but seems high to me:dunno:

[dalekressin]

Mine cost me a few bucks. I replaced one power steering hose and all of the clamps (2001 530i).